Alasdair sat back. “No,” he said thoughtfully. “You’re mistaken. I have an excellent memory, and what you actually said was, ‘I can think of few things more repugnant than marriage to you.’ You did not say that you never wanted to see me again.”
“Well, I thought you’d guess it,” she said in aggravated tones. “And what a humbug! To say that North was yearning to see me. That I was too timid to see him? I didn’t see the need! I’ve met the man precisely twice since I’ve grown up, I doubt he’d recognize me if I showed up dead on his doorstep. What is the meaning of this, sir?”
“I think he’d recognize you if you showed up dead,” Alasdair mused, holding his smile back. “Unless you were terribly mutilated, of course.”
She looked as though she’d gladly mutilate him. “Yes, go on, make sport of me,” she said through clenched teeth, color returning to her face, blooming in her cheeks. “When you’re done, pray tell me why you asked me out, set the Swansons in an uproar, and made poor Sibyl’s life miserable! Or didn’t you realize that her sisters will make mincemeat of her now?”
“‘Poor Sibyl’?” Leigh asked Sibyl with a small smile. “Said twice? So, it can’t be an accident. But how unusual. I’d no idea your first name was ‘Poor,’ my dear. Does it run in the family?”
Sibyl ignored him because she was as impressed as dismayed by her cousin’s fury. Even her maidservant sat shocked, staring at Kate.
Kate noticed. “I’m normally the mildest of creatures,” she went on, trying to keep the anger out of her voice, “but unless I get some answers, I’ll tell the coachman to stop, and I’ll walk all the way home if I have to.”
“It’s only been two streets,” Alasdair remarked, glancing out the window. “But, wait, no, no,” he laughed as Kate reached for the pull to signal the coachman. He captured her hand. “I’ll tell all. Lord, what a firebrand,” he mused as he held her hand in his.
It was a very small hand, and he could feel how cold it was, even through her glove. It trembled, but not with fear. He saw her militant expression, and realized she was fighting with herself to keep from pulling her hand away—in order to clout him, no doubt. He chuckled, and saw her color rise higher.
“It’s true North wasn’t on fire to meet you at first,” he said quickly. “As you say, why should he have been? But I did mention you to him. Then he did say he wanted to see you. I can’t pretend that I was instantly smitten with you, either, Miss Corbet, but I was fascinated, and wanted to pursue our acquaintance…”
“Gammon!” Kate said, in a rage now. “Don’t try that one with me, sir. I’ve two eyes and three brothers. I know how men think, and I think I smell a rat. You are a clever man of wealth, title, and experience. I’m not that rivetingly beautiful, and I don’t have a penny to fly with.” She glowered at him. “Plain truth. You’re up to some rig or other, and that’s a fact. And I tell you I’ll leave if you can’t tell me the plain truth!”
She sat back, her breath hitching, her pulse racing, and her hand still in his. She still heard a buzzing in her ears, too. She’d gone up in a flame. Whenever she did she literally saw red and exploded with rage. Even so, as her vision cleared, she could hardly believe what she’d done. She’d been speechless in his presence, because she’d been seeing him in secret, rosy, sensual, and improbable romantic daydreams since she’d clapped eyes on him. But as always with her, once she got angry, she forgot everything.
Well, it was outrageous of her, but it was just as well! she thought on a shaking breath. She scarcely noted the viscount. Sir Alasdair had all her attention. He was one dangerous fellow. There could be no room for daydreams around someone like him.
Alasdair exchanged a glance with Leigh, saw his raised eyebrow, then turned to Kate again. He sighed. “Truth, then,” he said. “Your cousin North wanted to see you. I owed him a favor, so I said I’d escort you to his home. My friend came along for the ride, to give me some respectability. Which I sadly lack.”
“Your friend also came along in order to have the fair Sibyl’s delightful company,” Leigh added meticulously.
Sibyl’s expression showed how much she believed that.
But all of Kate’s attention was on Alasdair. “That’s all?” she asked, incredulous.
“That’s all. For now.”
“Oh,” Kate said, and thought about it. It seemed reasonable. Why should such a man lower himself enough to make a fool of her? When she’d done it so well for herself, she thought in chagrin. That last bit, ‘for now,’ was troubling, but he was probably just incurably flirtatious. She wished she’d held her tongue. But what did it matter? She’d be gone from London soon anyway. And at least she wasn’t tongue-tied in his presence anymore.
“Please accept my apologies,” she said, keeping her eyes downcast. “I thought you were making fun of me. Now I see you were only doing a friend a favor.”
“I was grateful to you, too,” Alasdair said. “I thought reuniting you with your family might be some small way of repaying you for…being so kind the other day.” he added with a glance at the fascinated maid, “when we met in the Park.” He absently ran a thumb over the back of Kate’s hand, stroking it as he thought of what else to say. “Some ladies would have shunned me. My reputation’s not the best.”
It sounded right, and felt much too good. His hand was very large, and cradled hers in dry warmth.
“You’d have a great deal more respectability if you didn’t steal people’s hands,” Kate said. “May I have mine back, please?”
He released her hand and gave her a tilted smile. “Not so timid as your cousin believes, are you?”
“I don’t think so,” she said, putting her tingling hand in her lap. She cocked her head to the side. “Well, I don’t know. When you live in a place where everyone knows you and you see the same people day after day, it’s hard to know if you’re timid or not. Since I’ve come to London, though, I suppose I may have been timid.”
She didn’t add that she had no way to test herself either, since she hadn’t met anyone new since she came to London. But there were things she could say because they were true. “It’s such a huge bustling place,” she said, sitting forward in her eagerness to explain. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like market day in my village, only on every street! Every day! So many people, so many new faces. You have to get used to that, and I’m not yet. But, oh, it’s exciting!”
The sunlight made her eyes glow. Her face took on life from her animation. She looked lovely, refreshing. Alasdair smiled. His work was indeed cut out for him, he thought ruefully, he’d have to watch himself as carefully as he did her.
Both Sibyl and Leigh shifted uncomfortably when they saw his expression. Leigh, because he’d seen it before, and was wary. Sibyl, because she’d never seen anything like it, and was terrified even if that long languorous look wasn’t directed at her.
Kate could only stare, trapped in the reflection of his slow, sensuous smile as surely as if he still held her hand fast. Because she couldn’t look away. Even if she’d tried. Even if she’d wanted to.
Kate’s cousin, North, was as spectacularly handsome as she remembered. Quite the most good-looking male in the family, as her mother always said, to tease her father. But as her father always answered, though North had used his looks to earn the worst reputation in his day, marriage to a charming beauty had settled him into the ultimate boring husband.
Kate didn’t find him boring. The viscount might be settled, but he was still dashing. Fair, with flawless features and the most interesting eyes, one blue and one gray. When she’d been a girl she’d thought him the best-looking man she’d ever seen. He was still handsome. But Kate suddenly realized growing up had changed her preferences. It seemed she preferred dark to light.
Viscountess North was as attractive as her husband, in her own way. She had a piquant face and a mop of curly hair, done up with a simple ribbon. She looked so charming and effortlessly fashionable, Kate was determined to try the same style he
rself.
They were the nicest hosts she could imagine, too, asking her how she liked London, telling her stories about it, urging her to visit them again before they headed back to the Lake District. At least, they said that when they could. Because they also had three lively young sons with curly heads, fascinating eyes, and never-ending prattle.
“Forgive us, we’re unfashionable,” her cousin North laughed as one of his sons, ensconced on Alasdair’s lap, refused to give back the watch he’d been given to play with. “Children are supposed to be in the nursery with their nanny. But we enjoy ours too much to let her have all the fun.”
“Now you see why we asked you to come back again,” his wife told Kate. “No one else will!” She grinned as Alasdair made a terrible face at one of the little boys in his lap, making him giggle.
Kate watched, enchanted. She was as taken with the children as with St. Erth’s reaction to them. There wasn’t a trace of the raffish noblemen in his attitude. He was so tall, so big in every proportion, he had room on his long knees for two of the boys, and yet was gentle and knew exactly how to play with them. Kate had three younger brothers and could tell when an adult was shamming. Sir Alasdair wasn’t. Viscount Leigh’s smile was bemused, but he was obviously wary of children. Sir Alasdair seemed genuinely amused by them, and made them laugh until they got hiccups.
“Oh, but I’ll be happy to come back and visit,” Kate assured her cousins eagerly. She hesitated. “For as long as I’m here, of course. I’d planned to go home in a few weeks, but my aunt has just told me my parents wrote to her asking that I return sooner.”
“Indeed?’ Alasdair said smoothly, taking his eyes from the gold watch the two children were now vying for and fixing her with his dark gaze. “She told you that just this morning, did she?”
Kate nodded. “Yes, but they wrote to tell me the same thing only the other week. They miss me, you see.”
“Well, I can certainly understand that!” the viscountess said. “I’ll miss my children when they grow up. Which is why I’m so pleased we’ll soon have another. This time, a girl, I think, for me.”
Everyone exclaimed and offered good wishes, and the subject of Kate’s leaving was dropped. But Alasdair didn’t forget it.
He mentioned it to her when he said good-bye later, in front of the Swansons’ town house. He helped her down from the coach, but didn’t release her hand. “Yes, it was a good afternoon, and I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he said. “Now, what’s this nonsense about you running home?”
“Not ‘running home.’ If I’m needed there, there I’ll be.” Kate looked away as she said it because she knew it wasn’t so much as she was needed, as she was missed. But she realized she’d miss London, too. She’d have the rest of her life at home, and hated to leave just when things were getting so much more interesting.
He seemed to know that, he studied her so closely she had the eerie feeling he knew every thought she was trying to hide from him. And surely it wasn’t proper for him to keep holding her hand? Sibyl was talking to the viscount, her maid was flirting with a footman, so no one saw it. But Kate couldn’t ignore it. It was only her hand held in his light, warm clasp, but his presence was such she felt as though he was holding her by his side with far more than that. It made her stomach feel strange, and robbed her of breath. She forced herself to look at him. And took her hand back.
He smiled. “I’m sure when your aunt realizes there are benefits for her daughters in my continuing to call, she’ll stop reminding you of your duty at home. You’re only here for a little while, so surely it can’t hurt if you stay on a little longer?”
She hesitated.
“Because,” he went on in that deep, rich voice, his eyes intent on hers, “I begin to believe it would do me a great deal of harm if you left now.”
Too much! Kate thought. The thought straightened her spine and brought any nervous airy fancies down with a thump. She knew her worth as well as this man’s experience. The two didn’t tally. She snapped back to attention. “Cut line, sir,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “I’d be best pleased with truth.”
He laughed again, but nodded. “You’re right. It was only a half-truth. I’d like to see you again. I enjoy your company. I can’t say more now, because as you so rightly think, it’s too soon. But if you leave, it can never be later.”
He stood before her, his broad shoulders blotting out the sun. Fortunately for her composure, his fascinating dark face was also cast in shadow. Kate gazed at that shadowy face with mistrust. What she’d told him when they’d set out was unfortunately still true. She might have dreams, but she was a realist and knew what she was and was not. She wasn’t a famous beauty. She wasn’t rich. It was flattering to think he’d been smitten with her, but she doubted it. She hadn’t gotten so much flattery in her life that she could be comfortable with it, and didn’t believe she deserved it. Especially not from this man. Why should he single her out?
Everything she thought was there to see in her eyes.
“Your expression, Miss Corbet!” Alasdair said. “All right then. What I said was true. But it’s also true that since I returned to London I’ve had some difficulty reestablishing myself in certain circles. I had a wild youth. I went off to the Continent and rumor grew. Now I’ve returned to find my reputation preceded me here. I’d like to repair it, and the company of a respectable female would go a long way to doing that.”
Kate felt a twinge of disappointment and a wash of relief. She was suddenly freed from something too deep and dangerous to contemplate. It seemed that anger wasn’t the only thing that could break the spell this man could cast over her. Nonsense did it, too.
She shook her head. “Fiddle! London’s stuffed with respectable young women, old ones, too, who’d be thrilled to keep you company.”
The front door to the Swanson house swung open. Alasdair glanced over to see a footman in the doorway, and the curtains to the front salon windows pulled back. Swanson faces looked out, Leigh was slowly strolling toward the front steps with Sibyl.
“No, please listen,” Alasdair said quickly, turning his body so Kate couldn’t see the window or door. “My thanks for the compliment, and it is true that eligibility often does outweigh reputation in some circles. But I’d rather be liked for myself. Please hear me out. I have the uneasy feeling that if I don’t tell you now, I won’t have a chance later. You’re poised to leave, in more ways than one. I’d rather you didn’t. And not only because it’s hard for me to keep company with a wellborn, respectable female.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“But that’s true,” he said earnestly. “Not just because of my reputation. I am a gentleman and can behave like one. But think about it. If I do call on a lady, it will give rise to certain expectations on her part—and her family’s. You saved me once, and I have the uncanny feeling you could do it again. And you’re the most sensible woman I’ve met in a long while. There may be more for us, too, though it’s clear you doubt it. You seem sadly impervious to my charms.”
Kate blinked. He thought she was impervious to him? Lord! What did the other women who fancied him do? Salivate on his boot tops? Fling rose petals at him?
“Think of the advantages,” he persisted. “Not just the delight to be found in my presence,” he added with a self-mocking smile. “It will bring your cousin out of seclusion, too, and give the Swansons some much needed cachet. Not from my presence in their parlor. Fortunately, though I have a bad reputation, I rejoice in having good friends. My friend Leigh, for example, is a very respectable fellow and much admired. Where he leads, others will follow.”
Seeing the arrested look in her eyes, he quickly went on: “Think about it. It could be amusing for you. Going to parties, balls. We can see the sights during daylight, too. We can go riding or touring. Did I mention picnics? And fairs, if you like, as well as art exhibitions, poetry readings, whatever you want. Company grows thin in London as summer goes on, but it’s never extinct. There’ll be t
hings to do and see. It will give you a chance to see London and have some pleasure in it.”
That last part was exactly what worried Kate, though it also tempted her.
“So, may I continue to call on you?’ he asked.
She looked at him closely and saw entreaty in his eyes and earnest hope in his expression, and experienced the slight dizziness she felt whenever she looked him straight in the eye. She could only nod, as charmed as she was flattered. His plan made sense. For the time being, that was all she needed it to do. And she reveled in it.
6
Kate waited for her cousin to speak again. She sat in Lord Swanson’s study and watched his broad forehead furrow in thought. He was a fair man and a good fellow, or so her father said. She couldn’t say. She hadn’t seen much of him when she’d been a girl. That hadn’t changed. She’d been a guest in his house for weeks now and hadn’t exchanged more than a few sentences with him there either. He wasn’t rude, just occupied with his own affairs, which obviously didn’t usually include his guest or his daughters. But now they obviously did.
“Sir Alasdair didn’t come to ask my permission,” he finally said.
“He isn’t asking for my hand,” Kate answered carefully. “At least not for more than the time it takes to help me up into his carriage. He isn’t proposing walking down any aisle with me but one in a theater, you see.”
An unexpected smile lightened his expression. He had a wide red face, not a very attractive one. But when he smiled Kate could understand why wispy little Lady Swanson spoke so fondly of her husband. If his daughters only smiled more, she thought. If only they tattled less, she thought with a slight frown. Their father wouldn’t have called her in for this embarrassing talk if they hadn’t run to tell him wicked Sir Alasdair was about to compromise their poor innocent country cousin. Or, at least, they’d done it after they’d picked their chins up off the floor, restrained themselves from throttling her, and gone in outrage to their mama. That poor lady, not knowing how to stop their squalls, had sent them to their papa. Who looked at her hopefully now, as though she could solve his problem.
Edith Layton Page 7